This archive report was first published on 10 July 2021.
Kenya's mental health crisis is a pressing concern, with one in every 10 people suffering from a common mental disorder. The government, families, and communities must prioritize mental health education and training to address the stigma surrounding mental illness.
On November 1, 2019, President ordered the formation of a task-force on mental health to study the status of mental health in the country and recommend solutions to reform mental health systems.
The Taskforce on Mental Health, inaugurated on December 11, 2019, by Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, declared that mental illness should be declared a national emergency and that mental health should be treated as a priority public health agenda.
The team also recommended a mental health and happiness commission to advise, coordinate, and continuously monitor the status of mental health and report on the annual National Happiness Index.
According to the World Health Organisation's 2017 report on the world mental health situation, Kenya ranked fifth among African countries with the highest number of depression cases.
Depression and anxiety disorders are the leading mental illnesses diagnosed in Kenya, followed by substance use disorders. Low awareness of mental disorders, particularly the symptoms, remains one of the biggest challenges in Kenya.
As a result, mental illness continues to be marred by myths and misconceptions. Some communities view it as a curse, witchcraft, and spiritual problem, rather than a disease like any other that can be professionally treated and managed.
